Improvement in alphabet-blocks



S. L. HILL, OF VVILLIA'MSBRG, NEW YORK.

IM PROVEM ENT IN ALPHABET-BLOCKS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 59,603, dated November 13, 1866.

To all whom t may concern:

Beit known that I, S. L. HILL, of the city of Williamsburg and county of Kings, State of New York, have invented a new and Improved Magic Alphabet-Block and I do hereby l declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description thereof, which will enable others skilled in the art to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specification, in which- Figure l represents a face view of this invention. Fig. 2 is an end view ofthe saine when folded up.

Similar letters of reference indicate like parts.

This invention consists in the employment or use of triangular blocks, which, when properly combined, show on their faces different letters, in such a manner that when the blocks are separated and mixed u p considerable skill and patience are required to nd the appropriate blocks together, and when the blocks are put together they produce a novel and striking effect.

1t consists, further, in the application of suitable words to triangular blocks, so that by placing said blocks together in various ways various sentences can be produced, and a toy is obtained which serves for instruction as well as entertainment.

It consists, also, in the use of a rubber or other spring, in combination with two or more alphabet or picture blocks, of any desired shape, in such a manner that the blocks which belong together are prevented from separating spontaneously, whereby the dealers are enabled to exhibit the blocks without danger of having them thrown about 011 the counter; and, furthermore, by the combination of the spring with the blocks, said blocks can be folded and permitted to straighten out, and a magic effect is produced which cannot be produced by blocks of any other description.

It consists, finally, in the arrangement of a groove in the edges of the blocks, in combination with the spring, in such amanner that said spring is prevented from becoming acci- -dentally displaced.

When the blocks are separated each contains a portion of a letter and one or more letters or words, and it requires skill and patience to Iind the appropriate blocks together to produce the desired letters, or by placing different blocks together different sentences can be produced.

The appropriate blocks, when placed together, are held in position by a spring, c, of india-rubber or other suitable material, and by these springs the blocks are prevented from separating spontaneously, and the dealers are enabled to exhibit the same to customers without danger of having them thrown about on the counter.

The springs a are applicable to blocks of any suitable form or description, and they can be made to hold together clusters of two or more blocks, as may be desired.

In order to prevent the springs from becoming displaced accidentally, I provide the blocks with grooves b in their edges. These grooves receive the springs and hold them firmly in position.

By combining the springs with the clusters of blocks, said clusters can be bl-ought in different positions without separating. They can be folded up to the position shown in Fig. 2, and by releasing them said clusters adjust themselves ilat upon the table, and a magic eifectis produced, which considerably increases the amusement.

If desired, the labor of litting the appropriate blocks together may be facilitated by markin g on each block a small letter as corresponding to the large letter, a portion of which is marked on said block.

What I claim as new, and desire to secure S. L. HILL.

Witnesses WM. DEAN OVERELL, W. HAUEF. 

